DEVELOPING STORY: Two National Guardsmen were shot near the White House in what police are calling a targeted attack. Investigators say the gunman ambushed the Guardsmen and shot them in the head. Follow our live coverage below and click here to get my breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.
Gunman Shouted, “Allah Akbar”
From the reporting of our friend Mike Davis in DC:
Gunman is Afghan National, born in 1996, armed with a revolver ambushed a female guardsman, shooting her in the head, and a male guardsman, shot multiple times.
They never saw it coming. Both guardsmen were armed. A Major in the National Guard, who was unarmed and doing his spot checks of the guardsmen was in the block, heard the shots and turned to see the shooter who spotted him. He took cover behind a truck.
The suspect came for the Major who pulled out his pocket knife, and bravely took on the suspect who was reloading his revolver. The Major began stabbing the suspect in the head. Another guardsman in the area who was armed, them drew his pistol and shot the suspect twice, once in the leg and once in the buttocks.
The Major stated that when the suspect began shooting he heard him shout, Allahu akbar!”
I just briefed [omitted]. Now, you know too.
There’s more: we trying to confirm if the suspect, an Afghan national was an interpreter brought over by Biden, because he has a Department of Defense record. Again, we are trying to confirm. The suspect has a home address in Washington State.
CBS News: Suspect Identified as Illegal Alien
Multiple law enforcement officials tell CBS News the suspect in the shooting of the two National Guard members is 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in 2021.
The suspect used a handgun to carry out the attack, two law enforcement sources told CBS News.
NBC News: Gunman Believed to Be Afghan National
The FBI will initially investigate the shooting as a possible act of terrorism, two senior U.S. law enforcement officials said.
The officials said the suspect, who is alleged to have used a handgun, has been initially identified as an Afghan national. Law enforcement officials are still trying to confirm all of the person’s details, they said.
WATCH: Secret Service Run Into Danger Zone
ABC News Photog Witnessed Shooting
ORIGINAL REPORT: At least two National Guard troops were shot Wednesday afternoon just blocks away from the White House. DHS Sec. Kristi Noem posted a message confirming the news and urging people to pray for the Guardsmen. Video shows agents tending to a Guardsman on the ground surrounded by shards of glass. DC Police say one shooter is in custody. Watch video from the scene below and click here to get my breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.
Trump: “Animal” Shot National Guardsmen
UPDATE: President Trump condemned the attack posting on Truth Social:
The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!
National Guardsmen Based in West Virginia
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement that the two soldiers who were shot are members of that state’s National Guard.